Google Invests in Himax Display to Push Forward Google Glass

Taiwan-based Himax Technologies (Nasdaq: HIMX), a fabless manufacturer of advanced display drivers and other semiconductor products, also invested as part of the agreement with Google.

The deal aims to fund production upgrades and expand capacity at Himax Display’s facilities that manufacture liquid crystal on silicon chips and modules used in applications including head‐mounted display (HMD) such as Google Glass, head‐up display (HUD) and pico‐projector products.

Under the terms of the agreement, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013 subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, Google will purchase a 6.3% stake in Himax Display with an option to make additional investment within one year from closing. If the option will be full exercised, the Mountain View-based giant will own a total of up to 14.8% in the company. It joined KPCB Holdings, Inc., Khosla Ventures I, L.P., Intel Capital and Himax Technologies, Inc., which currently holds 81.5% of Himax Display will remain the major shareholder following the close of the transaction.